Grate construction



H. T. HENRY GRATE CONSTRUCTION March 7, 1939. v

Filed March 1, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS March 7, 1939.H. T. HENRY GRATE CONSTRUCTION Fi led March 1, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR M 9.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in grate constructions adaptedfor use in connection with stationary or locomotive fire boxes burninganthracite, bituminous or other similar fuels.

My invention comprises a carrier bar upon which finger grates or grateunits are removably mounted. The carrier bar according to my inventionis provided with guide grooves and stops which cooperate with lugsformed on the grate units so that each individual grate unitis-removable from the carrier bar independently of the rest of the grateunits, and a new grate unit can be substituted independently of the restof the grate units. In this way any grate unit which is burned may bereplaced wihout disturbing the .rest of the grate units. The guidegrooves may be provided in one or both faces of the carrier bar orduplicate sets of grooves may be provided on both faces of the carrierbar.

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a carrier bar made according tomy invention with parts broken away and with grate units in position,one grate unit being shown in dot and dash lines to illustrate themanner of removal or insertion of the grate units;

Figure 2 represents a side elevation of one of the grate units madeaccording to my invention;

Figure 3 represents a vertical cross section taken substantially on line3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 represents a. portion of a grate unit and a section of acarrier bar and a portion of a rod for oscillating the carrier bar;

Figure 5 represents a top plan View of a portion of a grate unit and aportion of a carrier bar in assembled relation; and

Figure 6 represents a partial side elevation of the other side of thecarrier bar showing different groove formation.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference character Ili designates acarrier bar having trunnions l2 at its ends whereby it is mounted foroscillation in a fire box. It is to be understood that a plurality ofsuch carrier bars is used and near the center and lower end of each baran arm I6 is provided which is pivoted to a reciprocable rod !8 formechanically rocking the carrier bars in unison. Only a portion of therod I8 is shown as the rod is of the usual construction. Each carrierbar has its upper portion cut away as at 2B to'receive the grate units22 later to be described, the supporting body portion 24 thus formedpreferably being co-axial with respect to the trunnions. It is providedwith a plurality of notches .26 and projecting flanges or shelves 28arranged in alternation for the length of the supporting portion of thecarrier bar. The notches 26 form the initial part of grooves orguideways for guiding the lugs on the grate units, as described later. 5The grooves 30 on one side 3| of the carrier bar shown in Fig. 1 are ofgenerally curved conformation resembling the lower half of the letter S.The grooves each begin with the notch 26 which forms the entrance to thevertically extending portion 32 merging into the curved portion 34 whichin turn runs into the lower vertically extending portion 36. Then thegroove makes a sharp turn to form a horizontally extending portion witha bottom wall 38 and an upper wall 39. The bottomwall 38 terminates inan abutment or shoulder 40, while the upper wall 39 extends to the notchor depression 4|, the far wall of which extends downwardly along oneside of the shoulder or abutment 40'. This shoulder or abutment 40' isspaced laterally from abutment 40 and limits the horizontal movement ofthe lug on a a grate unit 22 and causes it to fall between abutments 40and 40'. This depression 4| is adapted to receive the lug on the lowerend of the grate unit when the carrier bar is inverted and functions tohold the grate unit on the carrier bar and prevent its falling off thecarrier bar.

It will be seen from the drawings that the grooves are generallyparallel and duplicated except for the end grooves 42 which areoppositely disposed with relation to each other. The reason for thisconstruction is to permit insertion and removal of the end grate units22 without interferingwith end faces 43 adjacent the trunnions I 2 (seeFigure 1).

The other side 44 of the body portion 24 (see Fig. 6) of the carrier barhas grooves 45 which are similar in their upper portions to the grooves30 on side 3| of the body portion and parallel thereto but the lowerportions are differently formed, terminating in an open space 46.Furthermore, the grooves intermediate the end grooves on side 44 arequite diiferent from the grooves on side 3|, as the curved portions 34extend into the open 45 spaces or areas 41. The end grooves 45 on side44 have the lower vertical portion 36, but these are the only grooves onside 44 having this construction. A projection 48 is provided in thespace or area 41 which is similar to the abutment 50 40, shown in Figure1 on the side 3| of the body portion. A depression or notch 50 is alsoprovided similar to depression 41 described above. The provision of thespace or area 41 facilitates assembly and removal of the grate unit fromthe carrier bar. Vertical abutment 5| which functions to direct theprong on the grate unit behind abutment 48 corresponds to abutment 40 onside 3|. Either of these abutments may be omitted, it only beingnecessary to have one to act as a guide for the prong on the grate unit.

The grooves 45 on side 44 can be entirely omitted and only grooves 30used on side 3| of the carrier bar and the side 44 can then be: flat andthe side of the grate unit can also be flat to rest against the fiatside of the carrier bar, allowing enough space to permit a'slighttipping motion to be given to the grate units. Or the grooves 30 on side3| can be entirely omitted and grooves 45 used on side 44, in whichevent the side 30 would be flat as above described in connection withside 44. Or I can use grooves 3|)- on both sides of the carrier bar orgrooves 45 on both sides of the bar. In other words, I can haveidentical groove formations on both sides of the carrier bar withoutgoing beyond the spirit of my invention, But the preferred form of myinvention is of the form shown in the drawings.

Each grate unit 22 is provided with a grate or fuel supporting portion56 comprising parallel grooved fingers 58. The central grate portions6|! are not grooved and the neck portions 5| between the portions 60and. the grate are thicker and wider than the others to cooperate withshelves 28 on the carrier bar to prevent slag from running under thegrate portions. between the grate portions and the carrier bar and alsostrengthen the grate unit at this place. Each grate unit has dependingspaced arms 62 which are adapted to straddle the carrier. bar. Pointedor edged projections 64 are provided onthe inside edge of the arms nearthe top and extend laterally into the space between the arms. Theseprojections are adapted to be received in notches 26. when the grateunit is in position on the carrier bar, the pointed or beveled edges ofthe projections assisting in directing, the grate unit into position.The projections 64 are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than thewidth of the body of the carrier bar at notches 26 to provide properclearance for fire box practice. The projections 64 prevent anysubstantial longitudinal movement of the grate units with respect to thecarrier bar and also prevent any substantial lateral movement of thegrate units on the carrier bar. That is, the projections 64 hold thegrate units spaced and in their own territory to allow air spacesbetween the grate units and prevent crowding of the grate units at oneend and a hole at the other end or other place in the fire box. Thegrate units are evenly distributed and held in such position by theprojections. 64 fitting in notches 26. As shown in Fig. 3, theseprojections 64 are positioned substantially centrally of the unit andhave shoulders 66 extending laterally oneither side thereof. The innerportions or corners 68 of these shoulders which are adjacent the innerends of the projections 64 form bearing means for the grate unit. SeeFig. 4 where the grate unit is shown tilted and the bearing surfaces 68at one side contact and rest upon the top of the carrier bar. When thegrate unit is in horizontal position it will have four bearing places onthe top of the carrier bar. The underside of the carrier bar near theprojections 64 is cut out as at 10 to leave a space between the carrierbar and grate unit whenthe parts are in assembled relation. Space 10.acts as an insulator to prevent direct transfer of heat, from the firesurface into the carrier bar of the. grate.

Each arm 62 of the grate unit has at its lower end an inwardly directedlug 12 and a vertical shoulder 14 adjacent thereto. The distance betweenthe spaced lugs 12 on each grate unit is only slightly greater than thethickness of the carrier bar at the grooves 30 and 45, as shown in Fig.4, so as to assist in holding the fingers on the grate units in correctposition and to permit a slight rocking of the grate units. The grateunits are allowed a small rocking motion by the construction so thatwhen a locomotive or the like, provided with these grate units, is inoperation, the vibration causes the grate units to chop and constantlyknead the fire, thus sifting down the ash constantly and reducing theaccumulation of clinkers and a clean fire is assured at all times.

Thearms 52 have curved intermediate portions 15 to. leave an. air space16 between the sides of the carrier bar and each grate unit. These lugs12 fit into and are guided by the grooves 39 and 45 during, assembly.When the grate unit is in place, the lug l2 abuts against the shoulder40 on one side and lug or projection 48 on the other side of the carrierbar whereby the grate units are held in proper position. The carrierbars may have openings 18 to reduce the weight thereof.

In assembling a grate unit 22 on a carrier bar It) the parts arepositioned so that the prongs 12 on the grate unit extend into notches26 on the carrier bar. Then the grate unit is moved downwardlyrelatively to the carrier bar for a short distance while the prongs areguided by vertical portions 32 of the grooves 35 and 45. In furtherrelative downward movement, the grate unit will have to be tilted as theprongs follow the inclined portions 34 of the grooves 35. and 45, andthen vertically downward again as the prongs follow lower verticalportions 36 of the grooves 30. Then, the grate unit must be tilted backto original position as the prong 12 follows horizontal portion 38 ofgroove 30 on the side 3| 01 the carrier bar and the other prong 72 ofthe carrier bar passes between projection 48 and portion 8!] on theother side 44 of the carrier bar. When the prongs pass abutment 4|) andprojection 48, the prong 12 on side 44 of the carrier bar strikesvertical abutment 5| and prong 12 on side 3| strikes abutment 40 and theprongs drop behind projection 48 on side 44 and behind abutment 40 onside 3| to hold the grate unit in position. When an end grate unit isbeing placed on the carrier bar, one prong 12 will be additionallyguided by the parallel vertical portion 36 of grooves 45 on side 44 ofthe carrier bar.

When the prongs 12 rest behind the abutments 4B and 48, the pointed oredged projections 64 are received in notches 25 and each grate unit isproperly held in position as above described. The beveled edges of theprojections 64 assist in directing the projections into notches 26. Theentire number of grate units is assembled on the carrier bar as aboveset forth. Of course, if desired, any grate unit can be removed byreversing the movement of the grate unit above given.

With the grate units on the carrier bar, if the bar is turned upsidedown, the prongs 12 on the grate units will fall into depressions 4| and50 and the grate units will be prevented from dropping out or becomingdislocated and when the carrier bar is again turned right side up, thegrate units will fall into their correct positions.

By having a series of removablegrate units, it is only necessary toreplace those burned or broken without. interfering with the rest of theincluding, in combination,

grate units on the carrier bar and this effects a great saving in timeand expense.

I claim:

1. An apparatus of the character described,

a carrier bar, a plurality of grate units mounted on said carrier bar,each grate unit having arms straddling said carrier bar, and means forpermitting independent removal of each of said grate units,said meansincluding guideways on said carrier bar and lugs on said armsco-operating with said guideways, said guideways having curved portionswhereby any one of said grate units may be removed by moving said grateunit vertically and then tilting it laterally.

Y 2. An apparatus of the character described, including, in combination,a carrier bar, a plurality of grate units removably mounted on saidcarrier bar, each grate unit having arms straddling said carrier bar,said carrier bar in one face thereof having a plurality of curvedgrooves, one of said arms of each grate unit having a lug adapted to bereceived and guided in one of said grooves, whereby a grate unit may beremoved or mounted on said carrier bar by moving such grate unitvertically and tilting it laterally.

3. An apparatus of the character described, including, in combination, acarrier bar having a body portion provided with curved grooves inopposite faces thereof, a grate unit mounted on said carrier bar andhaving arms straddling said body portion, lugs on said arms adapted tobe guided by said grooves during assembly or disassembly and abutmentson said carrier bar for contacting said lugs and holding said grate unitin correct position on said carrier bar.

4. An apparatus of the character described, including, in combination, acarrier bar having a body portion provided with notches and curvedgrooves in opposite faces thereof, a grate unitmounted on said carrierbar and having spaced arms straddling said body portion, said grate unithaving projections received in said notches, and lugs on the lower endsof said arms adapted to be guided by said grooves during assembly ordisassembly.

5. An apparatus of the character described, including, in combination, acarrier bar having a body portion provided with sets of grooves inopposite faces thereof, a plurality of grate units mounted on said bar,each grate unit having arms straddling the body portion of said carrierbar, each of said arms having lugs adapted to be received and guided byone set of grooves, whereby a grate unit may be removed or mounted onsaid carrier bar, said carrier bar having shelves between said grateunits to prevent slag from running into said grooves during use.

6.'An apparatus of the character described, including, in combination, acarrier bar having a body portion provided with sets of grooves inopposite faces thereof, a plurality of grate units mounted on said bar,each grate unit having arms straddling the body portion of said carrierbar, each of said arms having lugs adapted to be received and guided byone set of grooves, whereby a grate unit may be removed or mounted onsaid carrier bar, said grate units being provided with means forpreventing slag from running into said grooves during use.

'7. A carrier bar adapted to carry a plurality of removable grate unitsand having a plurality of curved grooves in a face thereof, each groovebeing adapted to receive and guide a lug on a grate unit during assemblyor disassembly.

8. A carrier bar adapted to carry a plurality of removable grate unitsand having a plurality of grooves in one face thereof adapted to guidelugs on grate units during assembly and to prevent accidental removal ofthe grate units, each of said grooves having a vertical portion mergingwith an inclined portion which merges with a vertical portion mergingwith a horizontal portion.

9. A carrier bar adapted to carry a plurality of removable grate unitsand having a plurality of grooves in one face thereof adapted to guidelugs on grate units duri g assembly and to prevent accidental removal ofthe grate units, each of said grooves having a vertical portion mergingwith an inclined portion which merges with a vertical portion mergingwith a horizontal portion and an abutment at the end of said horizontalportion against which a lug abuts in assembled position.

10. A grate unit having fuel receiving portions and spaced symmetricallyshaped arms extending from the bottom thereof, said grate unit havingprojections near the upper ends of said arms and adapted to fit innotches in a carrier bar, bearing surfaces near said projections, andlugs on the lower ends of said arms, said lugs being directed towardeach other.

11. A grate unit having fuel receiving portions and spaced symmetricallyshaped arms extending from the bottom thereof, said grate unit havingprojections near the upper ends of said arms and adapted to fit innotches in a carrier bar, and lugs on the lower ends of said arms, saidlugs being directed toward each other.

12. A grate unit of the character described having fuel receivingportions and spaced symmetrically shaped arms extending from the bot tomthereof, said grate unit having pointed projections near the upper endsof said arms and adapted to fit in notches in a carrier bar, bearingsurfaces above said projections, and inwardly directed lugs on the lowerends of said arms.

HAROLD T. HENRY.

